I travelled through Honduras way back in about 1988. It would be hard for most Australians to imagine how dirt poor this country has been, and what a huge achievement it is just to MAKE the World Cup again.

I remember there was a crowd of lepers gathered in a park in the middle of Tegucigalpa, just around the corner for a clinic of the Mother Theresa Sisters of Mercy. I remember a guy standing at a restaurant window and staring at me as I ate my dinner - I felt impelled to go outside and help him, but then a policeman came and moved him along into the darkness of the night.

I was supposed to travel into El Salvador the next day, but the US Army sent 10,000 troops to the border overnight! So I ended up catching a glight to a Colombian island in the brilliant blue waters of the Carribbean, and that's another story altogether...


What do you think about the FourFourTwo blog Honduras Accord?
When it comes to the World Cup, one of the joys is learning about countries about which you have little or no idea both on and off the football field. And for me Honduras falls into such a category.
...

Have your say.

great blog Neil...

Thanks but doesn't anyone have any insightful comments on the Honduran squad. Is there any Tottenham fans out there who think Palacios will have a blinder of a tournament, etc, etc?

well at the moment I can proudly admit to being a Spurs fan :)

Palacious fell out of favour towards the end of the season, he had a shocker against Man Utd where he could not pass to save himself.He has the potential to take the cup by storm ala the way Zokora did for Ivory Coast a few years ago. Put ti this way he makes Spurs tick when he is fit and playing well letting the show ponies play... lets hope the Hondurans have a few players that can help him out.


It's teams like Honduras that make the early rounds special, everyone will be supporting them.

Trinidad and Tobago were thrilled to get a draw in 2006. Think it will be similar for Honduras.

They did manage to come third in the fourth round of their confederation qualification, and more interestingly, topped their group in the third round, a group including mexico that only got to the next round due to goal difference.

But qualification and the cup are two totally different things. Hell, El Salvador managed to go from the first round of qualification to the last.

Neil, with all due respect, you need to learn about history in Central America. The football match, and the consequent results, were used as excuses for the countries going to war. The conflict had nothing to do with the football match but it was a coincidence they happened at the same time

As alluded to in my post it noted that tensions had built over thirty years leading up to the series of matches. However, in regards to history this two week battle is often referred to as the 'football war' in a number of places because of that coincidence.

Another great team introduction Neil. I'm looking forward to the next one. It's informed, yet not directed entirely at the soccerpaedic. Cheers.

there is another player for honduras you should keep in mind: Edgard Alvarez. He plays in Italy, for Bari. He is the most quick player in Serie A, he plays as right wing.

BTW el salvador had one of the best players in soccer history, "El magico" or "el mago" Gonzales, actually he was just more crazy than maradona. Try to find something on youtube if you can.

Thanks for the tip. For those that are interested check out this youtube clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMemVOhSLRw

I've seen the Honduran keeper play a bit.
and I really rate the guy.